John singleton



(No Model.)

J. SINGLETO'N. RUNNING PUMP 0R SHOE.

N0.'56 6,4Z2. Patented Aug. 25, 1 896.

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JOHN SINGLETON, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

RUNNING PUMP OR SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 566,422, dated August 25, 1896. Application filed December 3, 1895. Serial No. 570,937. (No model.)

T 0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN SINGLETON, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement Applicable to Running Pumps or Shoes and the Like, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an improvement that is applicable to running pumps or shoes and the like.

The object of this invention is to assist an athlete to obtain increased speed in running or quickness of action. I attain this object by the means hereinafter described, and as illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which-- 7 Figure 1 is a plan view of an air-bag constructed for placing within a running pump or shoe. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view, and Fig. 3 a section of the same drawn through lineAA. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a shoe, showing my invention applied.

In the Views similar letters refer to similar parts.

In this invention I construct an air-bag or pneumatic cushion, as 00, preferably of an elongated form, with a valve, as 6, attached thereto for the purpose of inflation, said cushion being composed of india-rubber or other elastic substance, and having a cover 0, consisting of canvas and india-rubber or such materials as are usually employed for the prevention of undue stretching in pneumatic tires.

The upper part of the aforesaid air bag or cushion, or the cover thereof, is formed with a toe-cap, as e, in which to insert the fore part of the foot when being fitted in the shoe cl, as shown in Fig. 3.

In applying my invention the front portion of the foot is inserted in the toe-cap e, so that the combined air-bag and cover will come under the foot, commencing at the part where the toes are connected to the foot and extending backward therefrom. The foot with said air-bag is then inserted in the shoe, as shown in Fig. 4:. By these means in running the foot obtains an elastic tread, resulting in increased speed and quickness of action.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. An air bag or cushion provided with means for permitting its inflation, and supplied with a cap, as e, and adapted for use within running pumps or shoes especially, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. An air-bag or pneumatic cushion as a constructed for placing under the foot and retained in the position shown by means of a toe-cap as ein the manner and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of November, A. D.

JOHN SIN GLETON. Witnesses:

WM. SYKES, NED. PRESCOTT. 

